Fingering device for self-playing stringed instruments



Oct. 19 192s. 1,603,797

O. PETERSON FINGERING DEVICE FOR SELF PLAYING STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 11, 1924 Patented a. 19, 1926.

UNITED: STATES.

PATENT orrica.

OSCAR PETERSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR T0 MILLS NOVELTY COMPANY,

1 OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FINGER/IN DEVICE FORSELF-PLAYING STRINGEID INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed February 11, 1924.

This invention relates to fingering devices for self-playing stringed instruments of the viol class and is particularly adapted to be used on instruments having relatively heavy strings such as the violincello.

The primary object is to provide a fingering device which will firmly grip the string instead of merely pressing against it as has heretofore been the practice in instruments of this kind. This and other objects areaccomplished by this invention which is fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: y

Figure 1 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the fingering mechanism showing a fingering lever in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a view of the same showing the lever in gripping position;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial section on the line 4 of Fig. 3.

This fingering device, which is an improvement on the fingering device shown and described in the patent to Henry K. Sandell, No. 1,381,508 granted June 14, 1921, comprises a fingering lever 10 which is adapted to replace the fingering levers of said patent, said lever being formed of sheet steel and having a notch 11 therein which rests upon the rib 12, the latter preferably being a knife-edge and being carried by a bar 13.

The operative end of the lever 10 has a head 14 to the two sides of which are secured plates 15 and 16 by means of rivets 17. A bell crank having arms 18 and 19 is pivotally mounted between the plates 15 and 16 on a pin 20. The arm 19 extends beneath a rod or stop 21 which lies parallel to the rib 12 and which is preferably common to all the fingering lines. A spring 22 serves to hold the arm 19 in contact with the stop. The other arm 18 is movable to grip a string A which normally is entirely out of contact with the fingering lever which has an opening 23 which partially surrounds the string. hen the lever 10 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 2 by means not shown herein, the end of the arm 19 is held by the stop 21 and causes the bell-crank to rock about the pin thereby forcing the arm 18 toward the head 14 compressing the spring 22 and gripping the string A. Lowering the Serial no. 692,071.

fingering lever causes this gripping mechanism to release.

As shown in Sandell patent mentioned above, it is usual to operate the fingering levers by means ofelectromagnets. These electromagnets are controlled by circuits. Usually these electric circuits are, in turn, controlled by a tracker-board and music sheet, the circuits beingequipped with con tact members adapted to make contact with the tracker-board. When a slot inthe music sheet comes under'the contact member and allows the contact member 'to make contact with the tracker-board. In the improved fingering device, the bell-crank lever is carried or suspended on the operative end of the main fingering lever, and the stationary stop or cam 21 serves to turn the supplemental lever on its pivot when the operative end of the main fingering lever is lifted. This causes the string to be gripped between the short arm of the bell-crank lever and the opposed shoulder afforded by the recess or notch in the upper edge of the head with which the main fingering lever is provided. Thus, the supplemental bell-crank lever serves as a gripping lever which operatesto clamp the string between itself and the opposed shoulder with which the main fingering lever is provided.

WVhile I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Ghanges therefore in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A fingering device for stringed instruments of the viol class, comprising a main fingering lever, a fulcrum supporting said lever at an intermediate portion, a stringclamping lever mounted on the operative end of said main lever, and a stationary cam serving to actuate said string-clamping lever when said main lever is actuated, said levers being provided with string-clamping shoulders.

2. A fingering device for stringed instruments of the viol class, comprising a main fingering lever provided at the upper portion of its operative end with a recess to freely receive a string, a fulcrum upon which an intermediate portion of said lever is fulcrumed, a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted on the Operative end of said main lever and having a short arm with its upper extremity lying adjacent said recess and having a long arm extending towards said fulcrum-member, and a stationary cam engaged by said long'arm.

3. A fingering device for stringed instruments of the viol class, comprising amain lingering lever having its operative end provided with a head recessed at its upper edge, a fulcrum-member upon which an intermediate portion of said lever is tulcrumed, a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted on the lower portion of said head and having an upturned arm-disposed adjacent said recess, and stationary means serving to said bell crank leverito turn and effect clamping ac tion when the main lever isactuated,

4. A fingering device for the purposeset forth, comprising a fulcrum-bar, a main fingering-lever having an intermediate portion fu'lcrumed on said bar and having a furcated head; provided at its upper edge with a slot serving to accommodate a string freely, a supplemental lever pivotally mountedin said furcated head and having. a portion disposed adjacent said slot, a stationary member by which said supplemental lever is engaged and caused to turn when said main lever is actuated, and a spring interposed between said levers and tending to return them to the normal non-gripping position.

5; A fingering device for thevpurpose set forth, comprising a main fingering lever provided with intermediate fulcruming means and having'at its operative end a clamping shoulder, a supplemental lever pivotally suspended on the operative end portion of said main lever andhaving a portion serving to clamp a string between itself and said shoulder, means engaged by said supplemental lever whereby the supplemental, lever willrbe turned about its pivot to effect gripping of the string when the operativef endof the main lever is lifted, and a spring interposed between said levers and tending to 'maintain them inthe normal non-gripping position.

OSCAR PETERSON. 

